Spotlight on Barbara Dee

 Barbara Dee is the author of twelve middle grade novels including Violets Are Blue, Haven Jacobs Saves the Planet, My Life in the Fish Tank, Maybe He Just Likes You, Everything I Know About You, Halfway Normal, and Star-Crossed. Her books have earned several starred reviews and have been named to many best-of lists, including The Washington Post’s Best Children’s Books, the ALA Notable Children’s Books, the ALA Rise: A Feminist Book Project List, the NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, and the ALA Rainbow List Top Ten. Barbara lives with her family, including a naughty cat named Luna and a sweet rescue hound named Ripley, in Westchester County, New York.

Q: Maybe He Just Likes You discusses sexual harassment within the context of a middle school community, capturing the progression and complex reactions involving victims, harassers, observers, friends, and teachers. Why did you feel it important to show all perspectives? What kind of knowledge do you hope kids take away from reading about Mila’s experiences?

When sexual harassment happens—even the relatively mild kind in this story—it affects the whole school community, not just the target of the harassment. Friendships get tested, as some kids may be uncomfortable acknowledging that this behavior exists, while others may feel helpless to address it. Some of the harassers may be uncomfortable, too, going along with what can seem like an (almost) innocent game. And because so much of this behavior happens under the radar of teachers and school administrators, the adults in the room are often caught up short. It’s important to me that every character in this story has a point of view, and that no one is treated like a villain.

I’m hoping kids who read Maybe He Just Likes You will come away from this book understanding a little more about consent, respect and boundaries. I hope they’ll empathize with a character who is being targeted, and see why the harassment hurts. I’m also hoping kids will learn, as Mila does, how to advocate (both for themselves and others) in an effective way.

Q: Mila doesn’t always get the support she feels she needs from Zara, yet the girls never really stop being friends. How would you describe Zara and Mila’s friendship? What kind of advice would you have for them?

Mila’s relationship with Zara is complicated—like so many middle school friendships! Even at the start Mila recognizes that Zara is a “fun, caring friend, but capable of meanness.” As the harassment develops, she sees that Zara is not an ally. But she doesn’t want to make Zara an enemy, so she learns to keep her at a distance—a useful thing to know how to do. I’d advise Mila to trust her gut about Zara. And I’d encourage Zara to work on developing some empathy.

Q: There’s such a strong sense of family when it comes to Mila, her sister, Hadley, and their mother, often making Mila and her mother feel more like a two-person team than mother-daughter. What does this dynamic add to the story?

Mila’s mom is a single, hard-working woman just barely providing for her family. Mila wants to shield her from extra stress, so she doesn’t share her problems at school. Mom, meanwhile, is dealing with adult problems she’s trying to keep from Mila. So the two are deeply bonded, but at the same time not communicating. Their relationship adds a layer of tension to the story, while it underlines the importance of constant, open dialogue between parents and children, especially with sensitive subjects like harassment.

Q: Mila finds release in karate, discovering a new side of herself. Did you ever take karate lessons, or discover an unexpected talent?

I’ve never taken karate or self-defense classes, but both my sons studied when they were younger, and now my daughter (a senior in college) is a green belt! So I’ve attended many, many classes vicariously. A few years ago I took up swimming; I wouldn’t call it a talent, but it was cool to discover my body could be strong!

Barbara: My Life in the Fish Tank is my eleventh book—all of which have been published by S&S! It's about a family of four kids. The oldest is diagnosed with bipolar disorder—and when the parents tell the three other kids to keep this private, it causes chaos, especially for twelve-year-old Zinny. My Life in the Fish Tank is another one of my “tough topics” middle grade novels—but it's also got plenty of humor. And science experiments with crayfish!

Q: As you‘ve mentioned, My Life in the Fish Tank explores mental illness; Your last book, Maybe He Just Likes You, discusses #metoo. Why do you feel it important to bring these kinds of topics to the middle grade space?

These topics are already in the middle grade space. We need to acknowledge it—and help kids to navigate this space, provide insight, and offer hope. If we don't offer books that reflect the lived reality of many kids, we turn these kids off so-called “realistic fiction”—and reading in general, especially in the upper middle grade years. Also, we lose perhaps our last chance to shape the conversation.

Q: Speaking of complexities and important conversations, in My Life in the Fish Tank, Zinny and her family members all deal with her brother's mental health diagnosis differently. Can you tell us a bit about your process in creating characters and these relationships?

I always start with voice. Once I can hear my characters speak, I need them to interact. I find out most of what I learn about characters and relationships through dialogue—my favorite thing to write! I always tell kids that every character needs to have a different voice. Kids need to sound like kids, adults need to sound like adults—and they all have to sound different from each other. So as an author you try to listen for favorite words, favorite expressions, vocal tics, pauses, emphasis…all of which help you to "show,” not "tell,” the character.

Q: I love the “tough topics” as you've mentioned in helping kids get to have important conversations, paired with interesting elements like crayfish, or memorable friendships.

I always weave in other threads to my “tough topics.” Middle grade readers need a break from the intensity of these topics—so I always include friendship problems, crushes, school stuff—and plenty of humor.